Swab wringing device



Feb. 17, 1942. J. A. NELSO 2,213,495

SWAB WRINGINGjDEVICE Filed Aug. 4, 1939 l l i Patented Feb. 17, 1942 sPATENT YOFFICE.

SWAB WRINGING DEVICE Julius A. Nelson, Atlanta, Ga. Application August4, 1939, Serial No. 288,423

2 claims. (o1. y154257) This invention relates to a swab wringer in thenature of an attachment for bottles and other containers. Swabs of thetype with which the invention is particularly concerned may beattached'to screw caps or similar closures for a bottle or othercontainer and project into a liquid or uid within the container, thewringer serving to automatically remove excess liquid from the swab asthe latter is removed .from the bottle. Devices of this type asheretofore proposed have been open to certain objections in that theyhave required specially constructed containers and have been difficultto position in a container or bottle at the most efficient position toeffect the wringing or compressing function.

An object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide a wringerattachment of the type specified which will be eiiicient in operation atall times and which may be readily placed in a bottle or other containerin the most effective wringing position, and when so placed will remainsecurely fixed in such position.

Another object is to provide a wringer device or attachment utilizingone or more rings, convolutions or coils through which a swab is drawnwhen removed from the bottle which may be readily adjusted to thedesired size to effect the most satisfactory wringing operation.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages will become apparent inView of the following description taken in conjunction with the y vasthat illustrated in my Patent No. 1,681,810,

the bottle being provided with a screw cap 6. This bottle is adapted tocontain a type cleaning uid and the cap is provided with a swab oranalogous device l which projects downwardly into the fluid when thebottle is closed.

The wringer device or attachment preferably consists of a lengthofspring .wire of relatively small gauge, formed of a metal which will notbe attacked by the fluid in the container, the wire having one or moreconvolutions or spirals 8 formed at the top thereof. two convolutionswith the freel extremity 9 of the upper convolution serving as theanchoring coil or convolution for holding the device within the bottlebelow the neck of the latter.

To ensure proper positioning of the device within the container and toassist in maintaining the device in such position, a leg Ill is formedfrom the wire length and projects downwardly and terminates in a partialturn or ring providing a base or foot Il.

In applying the device to the container 5, it is only necessary toinsert the same into the container and at the same time press inwardlyon the free extremity 9 of the convolutions 8,

permitting the same to pass through the neck,

whereupon the said extremity springs outwardly, anchoring the wringingcoil or coils against outward displacement. It is preferred to adjustthe length or overall height of the device to a point such as will bringthe wringer convolutions or coils just below the neck of the containeras illustrated in Fig. 1. This may be done by bending the base or footll downwardly or upwardly as found expedient.

In use, the swab 1 is withdrawn through the wringer portion 8 of thedevice, the latter automatically wringing or squeezing excess fluid fromthe swab and leaving the latter charged with the proper amount, theexcess fluid remaining in the bottle. It will be understood that theinside diameter of the wringer portion 8 is such as to provide theproper wringing or vsqueezing effect. It is preferred to turn the swabin the direction of the wringer convolutions as it is withdrawntherethrough, particularly where the diameter of wringer portion is suchas to snugly engage the swab or sponge, to thereby ease the withdrawalof the swab.

If desired, the device may be made with the free extremity 9 of thewringer portion 8 in fixedl position at the time of manufacture orformation of the complete wire unit.

A device of this type may be used with practically any desired shape ofcontainer, it not being necessary to have the latter shaped in anyparticular manner.

Fig. 4 shows a wringer unit similar in all respects to that illustratedin Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, except that the leg Illa is coiled 0r bentfor initial installation and may be straightened or extended to obtainvertical adjustment of the wringer coil 8a, such adjustment being inaddition to that obtained by bending the foot por- In practice, I usevtion Ila. The free end of the wringer coil is indicated at 9a.

It will be understood that the improved wringer device embodiesadvantages other than those above noted, and also that certain limitedchanges in construction and design may be adopted without departing fromthe spirit or scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.Y

What is claimed is:

1. A swab wringing device in the nature of an attachment for bottles oranalogous containers having a neck portion, comprising a length ofspring wire having at one extremity thereof a wringing coil orconvolution adapted to be positioned at the base of the neck of thebottle, said coil being of less diameter than the swab and terminatingin a free extremity which is sprung outwardly into a convolution ofgreater diameter than the neck base and anchors the device againstoutward displacement beyond the base of the neck, the wire being turneddownwardly substantially perpendicular to said wringing coil to providea. leg which holds the coil in place against downward movement in thebottle, said leg terminating in a partial convolution providing a footor base which rests on the bottom of the bottle and may be bent toadjust the height of the device.

2. In combination, a container or receptacle, a swab or applicator forthe receptacle for use in removing substance from the container and forapplying the same, means adapted to be located within the container forwringing surplus matter from the swab when the latter is withdrawn fromthe container, said means comprising a resilient supporting base adaptedto rest on the bottoni of the bottle and a substantially annularwringing portion of less diameter than the swab and a connecting legportion, said wringing portion being in the form of a resilient coiladjustable as to diameter to determine the amount of substance wrungfrom the swab and said base portion being bendable at an angle to theleg to determine the height of the wringing portion.

JULIUS A. NELSON.

